Odd that after InOmnibusCaritas' question yesterday, I came across this today without looking for it. It is from a blog I have never read before by someone who leads the music portion of worship in a church.
Quote:
So how do we balance speaking/praying as the Spirit prompts us in the moment and being prepared?
Ten years ago I would have stood on my soapbox with a megaphone and declared that no prayers or verbals should be thought out ahead of time — and certainly not practiced. I believed talking parts were to be solely Spirit-led in the moment, not written out, practiced, and memorized like a script. I used to feel very strongly and categorized any memorizing of verbals as inauthentic.
The only problem is, deep down I knew this was a weak spot in my leading. We would finish a song, and I’d feel prompted to pray. But with the pressure of praying into the microphone, I would get scared and begin speaking in Christian lingo. “God we just love your presence. Thank you for being here. You are worthy of all our praise, etc.”
I would fumble and circle my words round and round. Now that I think about it, that wasn’t very honoring to the experience or the congregants. I wasn’t stewarding my leadership role very well.
|
Our present pastor does what is often referred to as the "Pastoral Prayer" every Sunday. It is a combination of set form and freedom. Yet even where he gives himself liberty in words, he has an outline of what he is covering, not just a open time to get lost in religious
clichés without consideration. I appreciate that it is meaningful in its entirety. Even the parts that you know are coming almost verbatim every week. He has given it thought and prayer and if he feels it should be changed, he will. And it won't leave you wondering whether he got lost for a moment.
Much like the prayers that we read in the Bible. Each one is meaningful to its purpose, not just a sudden outburst of religious platitudes.